Radial pump



J. F. EKU-:BERRY 2,466,215

RAD IAL PUMP Filed Aug. 17, 1944 April 5, 1949- J. F. EKLEBERRY 2,466,215

RADIAL PUMP 4 sheet-sneet 2 April 5, 1949. I .1. F. EKLEBERRY RAD I AL PUMP 4 sheets-sheet 3 Filed Aug. 17, 1944 ill! .n @hm 9 By Il wpa/wey m April 5,1949 I I J. F. EKLEBERRY y 2,466,215

v RADIAL PUMP Filed Aug. 17, 1944 v 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 @MM2/W7 By Inventor Patented Apr. 5, 1949 UNlTED STA'EE iiifiwiN'i GFFICE RADIAL PUMP Application August 17, 1944, Serial No. 549,951

8 Claims. 1

This invention relates to apparatus for divers and more particularly to an improved apparatus for supplying air to a diver while below the surface of the water.

A primary object of this invention is the provision of an improved apparatus whereby air may be readily and continuously supplied to a diver with a minimum chance of supply'failure.

An additional important object is the provision oi an improved pump in association with such an apparatus designed to supply air in a continuous steady flow with a substantially complete absence of pulsation.

A further object is the provision of such a pump wherein the intake of air and a constant supply of the same to the diver is continuous, smooth and steady.

A still further object is the provision of a motor-driven pump for use in such an apparatus having provision whereby the same may be readily, and substantially immediately, shifted to manual operation in the event of power failure for any reason whatsoever.

A still further important object is the provision, in a pump having a plurality of radially disposed pistons and valves therein, of improved means for opening and closing the valves at desired intervals.

A further object is the provision in such a pump as described in the foregoing objects of a valve boot of novel form and configuration adapted to be continuously in contact with a freefloating ring, actuated by an eccentric, to open and close the valves as desired.

An additional important object is the provision of a pump of the character mentioned in the preceding objects wherein the above mentioned eccentric serves also to actuate the pistons of the pump.

A still further object is the provision in an apparatus for divers of an improved air filter so positioned and arranged as to completely cleanse the air supplied to the diver of foreign matter.

An additional object is the provision of a compression chamber in su-ch an apparatus to which the air is fed from the pump which serves still further to minimize the possibility of any pulsation of air and the supply to the diver.

Still another object is the provision, in association with such an apparatus, of an improved hose reel adapted to be actuated by the pump to take up any slack in the hose to the diver.

A still further object is the provision of such hose reel, having a slip-friction driving connection with the pump whereby 'the exertion of undue tension on the divers hose is precluded.

Still another object is the provision of such reel which may be readily engaged and disen- (Cl. 21M- 194) 2 gaged from the operative eiiect of the pump as desired.

Other objects reside in the combinations of ele*- ments, arrangements of parts, and features of construction, all as will in part be obvious and in part described hereinafter and shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein there is disclosed a preferred embodiment of this inventive.

concept.

In the drawings- Figure 1 is a side sectional view disclosingone. form of apparatus embodying this invention.

Figure 2 is a sectional View taken substantially along the line 2--2 of Figure 3, as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows.

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken substantiallyv on the line 3 3 of Figure 1, as viewed in thev direction indicated by the arrows.

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line Q !l of Figure 1, as viewed in the di-v rection indicated by the arrows.

Figure 5 is an enlarged detail View partially in section and partially in elevation, of certain constructional details.

Figure 6 is a sectional View taken along'the line 6--6 of Figure l as vieWed'in the direction indicated by the arrows, and

Figure 7 is an enlarged elevational View of stillf hose reel generally indicated at i3 kand a motor for driving the pump generally indicated atv I4 (see Figure 6).

Frame lll may be of any desired configuration or arrangement of parts, but in the application shown is comprised of oppositely disposedipairs of legs l5 and i6, adapted to be secured 'in any desired manner to the box or other supporting7 surface ll. Legs l5 have secured thereto, as by welding or the like, pump l2, while legs i6 terminate in a unitary central upper portion l 'lproay vided with a centrally disposed aperture threaded as at i8, for a purpose to be described herein-Yl after, and serve to support the opposite end of the assembly. Additional supporting members i9 (see Figure 6) may be provided, if desired', to.

support motor ifi.

Having reference now to pump I'Z it Will bey seen that the same is comprised of a substantially circular central portion 25 provided with a cen-f tral aperture, and a rearwardly extending. yan@ nulus 23.

Portion 25 has integral therewith a.

3 plurality, illustratively eight, of radially disposed cylinders generically indicated by the reference character 2l.

Positioned within annulus 26 and extending into the central recess of member is a stufng box generally indicated at 38, to be more fully described hereinafter. through pump l2 and stufng box 30 rearwardly into association with reel I3.

Positioned Within each of cylinders 27 is a piston generically indicated at comprised of a piston body 36 and the customary piston rings 31. The inner portions of piston bodies 3B are bifurcated and tapered to provide pairs of eX- tending members 38 having Ia groove 39 therebetween. The inner ends of the juncture point of the cylinders are also grooved as at 4G (see Figure 4) to provide a path of travel for a ring 4| positioned between the bifurcations 38 of the pistons. Ring 4| is held in position in grooves 39 by rollers 42 revolubly mounted on pins 43 passes through suitable apertures and bifurcations 38 and headed to retain the same in position. Thus it will be seen that the ring 4| is free to rotate in an eccentric fashion. When actuated in a, manner to be described hereinafter, Within the groove formed as above described. Each of piston bodies 35 is provided with an internal bore 5|] (see Figure 4) one end of which is formed into a valve seat 5| and the other end of which is recessed as at '52 to provide accommodation for a compression spring 53 normally abutting a shoulder 54 of a valve boot, generally indicated at 55. Valve boots 55 have attached to their outer ends valve stems 5B on which are mounted valves 5T adapted to seat in valve seats 5|.

As best shown in Figures 'l and 4, valve boots 5-5, Which are biased by springs 52 into engagement with ring 4l, are provided with a relatively at follower surface 68 terminating at one end in a right angled toe 6| and at the other end in angular portion 52 from which the rear of the boot extends at an angle to the body of the valve boot. As rings 4| are rotated past, or forced inwardly with respect to, various Valve boots, these various portions are engaged by the rings, for a purpose and in a manner to be described more fully hereinafter.

Referring back to bifurcations 38 of pistons 35 it Will be seen that these terminate in arcuate portions 65 and rollers 42 are applied thereadjacent which are adapted to abut and ride against an eccentric cam 6B. (See Figure 2.) The cam 66 is xedly secured, as by splines 7u and grooves to drive shaft 3|. The rollers 42 may be attached in any suitable manner preferably to the said pins 43 and adjacent the ends thereof.

From the foregoing it will be seen that as drive shaft 3| is rotated, in a manner to be described hereinafter, the corresponding rotation of eccentric cam 66 abutting the arcuate inner surfaces of pistons 35 causes the same to move successively inwardly and outwardly in the cylinder 2. Simultaneously the valves 51 are successively opened to permit the passage of air into the cylinders. It should here be pointed out that the unique configuration of the valve boot is so arranged as to preclude opening of the valve on the down stroke of the piston, such opening occurring normally after the piston has started its upward stroke and hence obviating the possibility of back leakage of air. A consideration of Figure 4 will disclose piston 35a in its upper- A drive shaft 3| extends most position at which time flat surface 60 of the associated valve boot 55 is in abutting relation with ring 4| and the valves 57 completely closed. As the ring rotates the position of the valve boots is changed respectively so that shoulder or angle 62 is in abutting relation lwith the rings as shown in the position of pistons 35h. As the relative position continues to change the angular surface to the rear of angle 62 is successively juxtaposed to ring 4| as shown by the position by pistons 35e and 35d. As the piston assumes its innermost position on the bottom of the down-strike as shown at 35e flat portion '68 is again juxtaposed to ring 4|. Then as the valves assume the positions indicated at 35j and 35g the angle or toe 8| is brought into contact with the ring occasioning the opening of the associated valve, the valve at 35g being shown in its fully opened position. As the cam continues to rotate on the up-stroke the parts assume the position shown by piston 38h at which time the angular relation of surface tends toward the flat and the valve begins to close, until nally the position originally indicated by piston 35a is resumed and surface 68 becomes tangential to the arc of cam 66. It is to be understood, of course, that each of the valves assumes successively the various positions shown as well as an iniinity of intermediate positions, in such manner that there is a continuous flow of air from the inlet, at the lower open end of the cylinders 31 through the inlet passages and bores Y5|] of the pistons to the opposite ends of the cylinders.

As best shown in Figures 1 and 3, each of cylinders 2i is provided with a cylinder head 'I5 Within which is positioned a one-way valve 76 spring-loaded as by a spring to bias the same into closing position with the outlet 18 of the cylinder, in the absence of air pressure exerted by the associated piston 35. As shown in Figure 1, eacn of cylinder heads 'l5 is provided with an outlet 'i9 leading to a nipple 80 and thence into communication with a ring-shaped collector 8| from which a conduit 82 leads to a fitting 83 in communication with an inlet pipe 84 to collect and deliver all the air supplied by the various pistons. A pressure gauge 85 of any desired conventional type is secured in tting 83 to indicate the pressure of the air being delivered. The opposite end of inlet pipe 84 is threadedly engaged in a suitable aperture in annulus 26 and communicates through an aperture in stuing box 38 through grooves 85 and through apertures 8'# in drive shaft 3| with a bore 88 in the interior of the inner portion of the drive shaft 3|.

Referring back now to stuffing box or packing gland 38 it will be seen (Figure 1), that the same is comprised of a body 9|] and an end cap 9| secured in position as by bolts 92. Positioned Within casing 98 is a pair of packing rings 93 separated by a packing spacer 94, through grooves 86 in which latter, air passes from inlet pipes 84 to bore 88. A drain valve, or petcock 95 is provided for the purpose of draining off any accumulation cf moisture Within packing gland 38L An end play collar 96 is secured in position as by a set screw 97, and provided with a washer 98 to hold drive shaft 3| securely in rotative related assembly With packing gland 38.

The inner end of drive shaft 3| extends into a fitting |88 and is Xedly secured thereto. Fitting E88 is formed with a flange |0| to which is secured a gear |82 adapted to be engaged by a Worm gear |63 rotatably mounted on a shaft |04 the ends of which are mounted in a frame |05 amaai-5.

pivotally secured',V as on a pivot` lilo-,to lugs |01* extending in a: frame l il. Frame M35 is comprised of two relatively triangular plates the inner surface of which is arcuate in configuration and adapted to abut eccentric Ill'll mounted on a shaft |08 and provided with an operating handle SUS. It wil' thus he` seen that movement of eccentric lil'lmoves worm gear les into and out of engagement with gear to provide a drive for ump I2. Shaft lllll is connected in any suitable manner as by gearing il il, or alternatively a drive beltV (not shown) with the drive shaft llI of motor 4,- it here being pointed out that while motor Hl is shown in the drawings as a gasoline motor of'v anyvr desired type, any other source of power, such an electric motor or the like, may be utilized'if desired.

Fitting itt has secured peripherally thereabout one of a tubular member or sleeve |29 which comprises the axle about which reel l?, is adapted to rotate. The opposite end of sleeve |29 is journaled for rotation in a centrally disposed aperture in a circular nut-like member I2! provided with an extending circular hand Vgrasp IZZ-threadedly engaging the threads i8 of frame member lil. The outer end of sleeve |2ll is closed by ari-end cap E23 in which is mounted a rod |26 :extending inwardly within the sleeve and having mounted thereon. a plurality of iilters of any suitable material adapted for the filtering and cleansing of air fed from bore il!! into sleeve |253. A plurality of apertures |25 positioned outwardly Iwith respect to filters 25 pass through sleeve l2@ vto permit the escape of air into a storage and compression chamber Il comprising the interior of reel I 3.

Fromy the foregoing it will now be apparent that when motor id is driving pump l2 drive shaft 3| and hence sleeve 52e are continuously rotated. Reel i3 is mounted for free rotation on sleeve i233 which serves an axle therefor. The reel is comprised of a pair of circular end plates lS'lf provided, adjacent their peripheries, with han-d grasp rails EBI, the end plates being secured in sealed relation to a cylinder |32 which, in conjunction with end plate la, forms air chamber Hill. End plates i3@ are provided with centrally disposed apertures within which are positioned. fittings |35, each comprised of an annulus having an inwardly turned flange i3d positioned interiorly of plate |323 and closely engaging shaft |20 and an external iiange |3`i terminating in a beveled edge 38. Packing |33 is positioned within the fitting and held in position by packing glands lill secured to fittings |35 as by screws lili. Thus it will be seen that reel I3 may be rotated freely about shaft l2!) when such action is desired.

Means are likewise provided for rotatingthe reel in conjunction with the rotation of sleeve |23 and drive shaft il i. Such means take the form of clutch' disks` lili! and itl', respectively. Clutch disk I5@ may comprise a portion of lit-ting itil and is provided with a bevel 152 adapted to conform to the bevel |33 of the corresponding flange |31. Clutch disk l i is provided of an interior annular recess |53 within which is positioned a clutch collar iton which theV clutch disk is adaptedv to slide inwardly and outwardly with respect to reel i3. Clutch disk l5! is alsoprovided with a beveled surface 555 adapted to conform to the beveled surface 33 of the associated fiange |31 of tting |35. Such movement of clutch disk |59 is effected by rotation of nutlike member |2| threadedly engaged with threads |8`in frame Il). It will be readily understood that as threaded member |2I is rotated clutch.

l5! will be forced inwardly thus engaging thei clutch surfaces l-Ii and IE5-|38, it being understoodthatclutch membery 5U continuously rotates with the drive shaft 3|. It will be readily apparent that the firmness of the engagement of the clutch portion may be varied according to the position of threaded member I2 I That is to say, that when the clutch is entirely disengaged reel i3 may rotate freely independently of sleeve 52d, and that when the engagement is tight Ithe reel will rotate in fixed relation with the rotation of drive shaft 3| and then, when there is engagement between the opposed portions of the clutches, but such engagement is relatively light, the reel will rotate with the dri-ve shaft but such rotation may be stopped as de-l sired by the exertion of any pressure whatsoever upon the reel; asl for example, by grasping. hand grip i-i, or by the exertion of theY hose connection with diver.

This connection with the diver comprises al length of hose generally indicated at |60 adapted to be wound about cylinder i3? between extending portions of plates i3d and having one end connected to the divers helmet and the other end connected to a fitting l t! in communication with the air in air chamber l2?.

If desired. suitable telephone wires or similar conductors of current may be provided for the diver extending through the interior of hose |60, electrical contacts for such wires being established through a collector ring |{i2 attached to flange i3? and adapted to engage a suitable wiring plug |63.

From the foregoing the operation of the device should now be readily understandable. When it is desired to supply air to a diver beneath the surface of the water, for example, motor lll is started, worm gear w3 thrown into engagement with gear ft2 by appropriate movement of lever |09. This action causes rotation of the drive shaft Si which operates the pump E2 the manner previously described forcing air through intake M into the bore 8d and thence through filters |25 outwardly through holes ltd in the Chamber |21. It may here be pointed out that the continuous steady action of the pump with its multiplicity of cylinders substantially preclude pulsation of air fed to the diver. Any such pulsation as might exist is effectively dampened in charnber |21. From chamber l2? the air passes outwardly through fitting it! and hose |60 to the diver. Normally, reel i3 is set by means of threaded member 28 in slip-friction position, in such manner that thenormaltension on the hose precludes movement of the reel. However, when anyslack occursA in the hose for any reason as theslack isy hauled in the clutch engages and causes the same to wind about reel lil, thus preventingv they entanglemcnts of hose lying about the decla, which have, hitherto, been a material' hazard to the work of the deck crew assisting a diver.

It is possible under certain conditions, for a source of power to fail while a diver is below the surface of the water, which failure may7 unless-.-

compensating means are provided, result fatally tothe diver. In the instant invention the end of drive shaft 3| is squared asshownat lili as is a projection l'll extending from end cap |23. Cranks Iig are adapted to be placed on the squared portions as desired and held in place by cotter pins |13, whereby the pump may be operated manually in the event of power failure.

From the foregoing it will now be seen that there is herein provided an apparatus for divers which is compact and may be contained in a relatively small space, which is exceptionally reliable and efficient in operation, and provided with safety features in the event of power failure, which is sturdy and durable in construction, and which may be operated and adjusted with relative ease and simplicity.

It will also se seen that there is herein provided a construction accomplishing all the objects of this invention and many others including advantages of great practical utility. As many embodiments may be made of this inventive concept, and as many modifications may loe made in the embodiment hereindescribed and shown in the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that all mattei' hereinbefoie described or illustrated is to be interpreted merely as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

1. A pump comprising a casing, a drive shaft, means mounting said shaft in said casing, an eccentric secured to said shaft, cylinders extending radially from said casing, pistons in said cylinders and having bifurcations formed at their inner end portions to form grooves, outlet valve means associated with said cylinders and inlet valves in said pistons, valve boots connected to said inlet valves, a ring encircling said eccentric and seated in said grooves engaging said valve boots, rollers secured between the bifurcations of each piston and positioned between said eccentric and said ring, means secured to each piston engaging said eccentric for transmitting rotative movement of the eccentric to reciprocatory movement of each piston, spring means seated on said boots and reacting on said pistons for urging said valves to the closed position, the boots being shaped so as to produce a differential in the amount of movement of each inlet valve relative to the movement of each piston during a cycle of operation of the eccentric and ring.

2. A pump comprising a casing, a drive shaft means mounting said shaft in said casing, an eccentric secured to said shaft, cylinders extending radialiy from said casing, pistons in cylinders and having bifurcations formed at their inner end portions to form grooves, outlet valve means associated with said cylinders and inlet Valves in said pistons, valve boots connected to said inlet valves, a ring encircling said eccentric and seated in grooves engaging said valve boots, rollers secured between the bifurcations of each piston and positioned between said eccentric and said ring, means secured to each piston engaging said eccentric for transmitting rotative movement of the eccentric to reciprocatory movement of each piston, spring means seated on said boots and reacting on said pistons for urging said valves to the closed position, said boots being substantially L-shaped and having a substantially flat cam Surface for producing a differential in the amount of movement of each inlet vave relative to the movement of each piston during a cycle of operation of the eccentric and ring.

3. A pump comprising a casing, a drive shaft journalled in said casing, an eccentric secured to said drive shaft, radial cylinders in said casing, pistons slidably received in said cylinders and having bifurcations at the inner ends thereof to form grooves, outlet Valves associated with said cylinders, inlet valves in Said pistons, valve boots secured to said inlet valves, means seated on said valve boots and reacting on said pistons for resiliently biasing said inlet valves to the closed position, a ring contacting said boots seated in said grooves, means secured to the bifurcations for maintaining the ring in said grooves, an eccentric secured to said drive shaft and positioned Within said ring, means secured to said 4bifurcations and engaging said eccentric transmitting movement from said eccentric to said pistons, said boots having a cam surface thereon for producing differential relative movements of each inlet valve and its associated piston during a cycle of operation for opening and closing the inlet valves.

4. rihe combination of claim 3, said resilient biasing means comprising a spring associated with each piston and its associated inlet valve.

5. rThe combination of claim 3, each of said boots including a pair of integral arms connected in L-shape, and a cam flat at the junction of the arms.

6. A pump comprising a casing, a drive shaft journalled in said casing, an eccentric secured to said drive shaft, cylinders formed radially in said casing, pistons slidably received in said cylinders and outlet valve means associated with said cylinders, bifurcations on the inner ends of each piston forming a groove, a ring in said grooves and positioned around said eccentric, means secured within said bifurcations for maintaining said ring in said grooves, inlet valves in said pistons, means secured to each of said inlet valves and abutting said ring for opening said inlet valves during the compression stroke of said pistons, and resilient means associated with said inlet valve opening means closing said inlet ,valves during the exhaust stroke of said pistons, and means secured .l0 to said bifurcations and engaging said eccentric for transmitting rotative movement of said eccentric to reciprocatory movement of said pistons.

7. The combination of claim 6, and said inlet valve opening means comprising boots of substantially L-shaped configuration and having a cam formed thereon.

8. The combination of claim 7, and said resilient means being seated on said boots and reacting on said pistons for resiliently biasing said inlet valves to the closed position.

JAMES F. EKLEBERRY.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

